The Odisha Society of the Americas, or OSA, is an organization whose stated goals are to promote the culture of the Indian state of Odisha in the United States and Canada, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and North America.Constitution of OSA Founded in 1969, OSA is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The main event of the organization is an annual convention which aims to bring members of the Odia diaspora together to celebrate their ethnic culture. It held an annual get-together called convention, where people of Odia origin from different parts of USA and Canada mingled and shared experiences of ethnic living.

Current status Today, OSA is a strong organization with 1500 or more individual and family members. This is due to individuals stepping forward to support different activities with innovative ideas which, when implemented, benefit us all. The organization has now spread into thirteen regional chapters, which operate as a social umbrella for different regions in the US and Canada. The chapters arrange various activities such as religious festivals, social get together, cultural events and participate in the cultural life of the local community as representatives of Odia culture. Besides these, the annual convention is the centerpiece of the society's activities.

Vision

The society's vision is to promote and propagate Odia culture in Americas by bringing together all the people interested in Odisha.

Mission Goals

The mission goals of The Odisha Society of Americas are:

· To provide a mutually supportive environment for the better interaction of Odia immigrants of North American countries through socio-cultural growth, friendship and fellowship.

· To enhance the awareness of Odisha and Odia traditions in North America through cultural promotion, social events, and developmental activities.

· To facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and the United States/Canada.

Chapters in USA & Canada

There are 14 chapters in USA and 1 chapter in Canada. A new chapter, California chapter is under formation. Chapter Name Chapter Serving Area Formation YearChicagoIllinois, WisconsinNAGeorgiaGeorgia2020Grand Canyon Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico 2009Maryland - VirginiaMaryland, Virginia1995MichiganMichigan1988North WestMinnesota1990New EnglandMassachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire1983New York/New JerseyNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania1970 as OSANY 2005 as OSANYNJOhioOhioNAOzark (central)Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, MissouriNAPacific NorthwestOregon, Washington, British Columbia & Neighboring States 2011South EastNorth Carolina, South Carolina, GeorgiaNASouthernTennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi. Alabama, KentuckyNASouth-WestTexas, Arkansas, New Mexico, OklahomaNAWashington, DC Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, West Virginia1984Canada Canada1971

Events OSA Convention

The annual convention of The Odisha Society of the Americas takes place during the July 4th weekend every year. The main responsibility of hosting the convention rests with the local chapters of OSA. At times when local chapters do not bid for the convention, Odia communities under the leadership of an OSA life member and with 15 or more OSA members do take charge of organizing the convention. The convention serves to bring together people with roots in Odisha to share the pride in Odia culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. The annual convention is the centerpiece of OSA's activities. The 52nd OSA convention was held from July 2 to 4, 2021 at the newly built Orissa Culture Center Venue, Houston, Texas. The 53rd OSA convention was held from July 1 to 3, 2022 in Sacramento, California.

Past/Future OSA Conventions

Year Place2026Minneapolis, MN2025Dallas, TX2024Nashville, TN2023Chicago, IL https://osanaconvention.org/2022Sacramento, CA https://osa2022.org/2021Houston, TX2020Virtual2019Atlantic City, New Jersey2018Detroit, Michigan2017Bahamas Cruise 2016 Providence, Rhode Island 2015 National Harbor, Maryland 2014 Columbus, Ohio 2013 Chicago, IL 2012 Seattle, WA2011 Dallas, TX2010 Redwood City, CA2009Trenton, New Jersey2008Toronto, ONT2007Detroit, MI2006Columbia, MD2005Newport Beach, CA2004Dallas, TX2003Princeton, NJ2002Greenbelt, MD2001Chicago, IL1999Toronto, Canada1998Monterey, CA1997Houston, TX1996Washington, DC1995Minneapolis, MN1994Pomona, NJ1993Troy, MI1992Atlanta, GA1991Chicago, IL1990Washington, DC1989Nashville, TN1988Saginaw, MI1987Stanford, CA1986Toronto, Canada1985Kent, OH1984Glassboro, NJ1983Bowie, MD1982Minneapolis, MN1981Chicago, IL1980Detroit, MI1979New Brunswick, NJ1978Wheaton, MD1977Riverdale, NJ1976Toronto, Canada1975Riverdale, NJ1974College Park, MD1973Riverdale, NJ1972Riverdale, NJ1971Hartford, CT1970Hartford, CT

OSA Regional Oriya Drama Festival

OSA Drama Festival started in 2009 for the first time. Dr Gopal Mohanty was the festival coordinator. The concept of regional drama festival went into effect during the month of April 2009 at 3 sites, Texas, Michigan and Washington DC. OSA is planning to continue the tradition in its present form or in an improved form (combining music and dances) for the future. OSA Southwest Chapter Drama Festival-2013 was held at Austin on 14 September 2013.

Year Region Drama Chapter 2009 South-West Region Athacha Chanakya(ଅଥଚ ଚାଣକ୍ୟ) Dallas Sahitya Gadia Manthana(ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଗଡିଆ ମନ୍ଥନ ) Austin E ki Nataka(ଏ କି ନାଟକ ) Arkansas Mom, Ma Aau Madam(ମୋମ୍, ମା ଆଉ ମାଡାମ୍) Houston Eastern Region Gitinatya Sri Ganesha(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ଶ୍ରୀ ଗଣେଶ) DC Pathoi Bohu(ପାଠୋଇ ବୋହୁ) DC Gua Nimantran(ଗୁଆ ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରଣ) NY/New Jersey|NJ Northern Region Banna Nasika(ବନ ନାଶିକ) Canada Gitinatya Mahisa Mardini(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ମହିଶା ମର୍ଦିନୀ) MI 2010 South-West Region Kalakara Natabara Babunkara Nata(କଳାକାର ନଟବର ବାବୁନକର ନାଟ) Dallas Saur Jagatare Ulka Pata(ସୌର ଜଗତରେ ଉଲ୍କା ପାତ) Arkansas Habani Na, Habana Aau(ହବନୀ ନା, ହବନା ଆଉ ) Houston Eastern Region Kanchi Abhijan(କାଂଚୀ ଅଭିଯାନ) OSNE Junior artists Dasanana: Naka Kata Upakhyana(ଦସାନନ : ନାକ କଟା ଉପାଖ୍ୟାନ) NY/New Jersey|NJ Dinu Kaka Thiika Kahuthile(ଦିନୁ କାକା ଠିକ୍ କହୁଥିଲେ ) OSNE Senior artists North-Central Region Uchit Charcha(ଉଚିତ୍ ଚର୍ଚା) Milwaukee Gosein Mahatma(ଗୋସେଇଁ ମହାତ୍ମା) Detroit Jaha Hale Hau(ଯାହା ହେଲେ ହଉ) Unknown 2012 South-West Region Bandhoo Mohanty DFW Kids Drama Tahele Kie Austin Item Girl Houston Mayar Kahani Austin Skit Paisaara Maayaa, Karuchhi Baayaa Arkansas Akala Kusmanda DFW

Publications

Odisha Society of Americas has been publishing souvenirs of its annual conventions from 1983. In 2019, all the editions were published in Amazon.com in print and Digital through Amazon.com, Google Play and Google Books. Year Edition City State Google Play Google Books Amazon.com Print Amazon.com Kindle Digital 1983 14 Washington D.C. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJVRXH1 1984 15 Glassboro New Jersey 1985 16 Kent Ohio 1986 17 Toronto Canada 1987 18 Palo Alto California 1988 19 Saginaw Michigan 1989 20 Nashville Tennessee 1990 21 Washington D.C. 1991 22 Chicago Illinois 1992 23 Atlanta Georgia 1993 24 Detroit Michigan 1994 25 Pamona New Jersey 1995 26 Minneapolis Minnesota 1996 27 Washington D.C. 1997 28 Houston Texas 1998 29 Monterey California 1999 30 Toronto Canada 2000 31 Nashville Tennessee 2001 32 Chicago Illinois 2002 33 Maryland 2003 34 Princeton New Jersey 2004 35 Dallas Texas 2005 36 Newport Beach California 2006 37 Columbia Maryland 2007 38 Detroit Michigan 2008 39 Toronto Canada 2009 40 Princeton New Jersey 2010 41 San Francisco California 2011 42 Dallas Texas 2012 43 Seattle Washington 2013 44 Chicago Illinois 2014 45 Columbis Ohio 2015 46 National Harbor Washington 2016 47 Providence Rhode Island 2017 48 Bahas Cruise Bahamas 2018 49 Dearborn Michigan 2019 50 Atlantic City New Jersey

OSA History

OSA Golden Jubilee Convention created History Team. The History Team collected VHS, Hi8 and DVD media of past conventions and events. Founders and members were interviewed. YouTube channel and PlayLists were created.

Year Description Link to PlayList/Channel 1983 OSA 1983 Washington DC 1984 OSA 1984 Glassboro NJ 1986 OSA 1986 Toronto 1989 OSA 1989 Nashville TN 1990 OSA 1990 Washington 1995 OSA 1995 Minneapolis 1996 Converted Videos 1997 OSA 1997 Houston TX 1998 OSA 1998 Monterey California 1999 OSA 1999 Toronto 2000 OSA 2000 Nashville 2003 OSA 2003 Princeton NJ 2007 OSA 2007 Detroit 2007 OSA 2007 Detroit 2008 OSA 2008 Toronto 2009 OSA 2009 Trenton NJ 2011 Rathyatra 2014 OSA 2014 Ohio 2015 OSA 2015 Washington DC 2016 OSA2016 Rhode Island 2018 OSA 2018 Dearborn MI 2019 OSA 2019 Atlantic City NJ 2014-2018 OSA NY/NJ 2019 Converted Videos 2019 OSA History Video 2019 OSA 2019 Channel References

External links Website